Himeji: the white walls unite a complex castle ensemble

Useful to know

Himeji Castle is a preserved example of Japanese castle architecture from the early 17th century. UNESCO describes an ensemble of 83 buildings, developed defensive systems, wooden structure and white plastered walls. [1]

For architectural observation, separate the general silhouette from the organization of the complex. The many roof levels create a characteristic image, but the defensive task involves the relationships between the individual volumes, not just the tallest tower.

A practical task is to compare a long shot with an ensemble plan. In the first, it looks for the common white outline; in the second, the number and arrangement of the individual parts. Do not use a beautiful silhouette as a complete access and protection scheme.

The number 83 describes buildings in the complex, not floors of a single housing. [1] Such refinements seem small, but prevent a major change in the idea of the scale of the site.